The Institute for Youth in Policy (YIP) is inviting applications for its Public Policy Fellowship 2027, an intensive two-month development programme designed for young and emerging leaders interested in public policy, civic engagement and cross-sector solutions to social, political, economic and environmental challenges.
The fellowship provides participants with opportunities to collaborate with peers, policy professionals, educational leaders and community stakeholders while developing practical skills in policy analysis, project management, communication, teamwork and policy development. Fellows also complete a capstone project addressing a contemporary policy or societal issue.
About the Public Policy Fellowship
The Public Policy Fellowship is structured as a collaborative learning and leadership-development programme. Throughout the two-month experience, fellows examine policy issues from personal, local and global perspectives while working with peers and mentors from different areas of expertise.
The programme includes workshops, discussions, collaborative projects and speaker sessions. Participants can explore topics such as social change, urban renewal, public policy reform, smart infrastructure and technology, education and other areas connected to civic and public-sector impact.
Fellows are expected to engage actively with their cohort and contribute to projects that seek to develop innovative approaches to complex challenges. The programme also provides exposure to different policy subsectors, helping participants strengthen their understanding of how policy intersects with communities, institutions and broader social and economic systems.
Fellowship Benefits and Experience
The fellowship offers participants practical opportunities to develop their leadership and policy skills through structured learning and collaboration. Fellows work alongside YIP department executives, mentors, policy professionals and other participants throughout the programme.
A central component is the capstone project, through which fellows apply skills developed during the fellowship to investigate an issue and propose a policy-oriented solution. Completed capstones may be published through YIP, providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their research, analysis and policy-development work.
The programme also features speaker events, with two sessions scheduled for each cohort. These sessions expose fellows to professionals working across different policy fields and provide opportunities to learn from practitioners with experience in government, civic engagement, public policy, education and related sectors.
2027 Fellowship Cohorts
The fellowship is offered through four cohorts during 2027:
- Winter: January 16 to March 20, 2027
- Spring: April 3 to June 9, 2027
- Summer: June 19 to August 21, 2027
- Fall: September 11 to November 13, 2027
The application deadline for the Winter 2027 cohort is December 23, 2026, with admission decisions scheduled to be released on January 6, 2027.
Fellowship Speakers
Speaker sessions form an important part of the fellowship experience. Recent speakers highlighted by YIP include professionals such as Angela Pedrigal, a Council Policy and Legislative Analyst and civic organiser; Edward Price, Interim Co-director of the Harvard Institute of Politics and former U.S. Department of State spokesperson; and Elizabeth Goitein, Senior Director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program.
Their participation reflects the programme’s emphasis on exposing young leaders to professionals working across different areas of public policy and civic impact.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is designed for young, emerging leaders who are interested in public policy and creating positive social, political, economic or environmental change. Applicants should be prepared to participate actively in collaborative activities, discussions, workshops and project work.
Prospective applicants can review information about previous fellows and published capstone projects before submitting an application. This can help applicants understand the type of work undertaken during the programme and identify areas of policy interest that align with their own goals.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Institute for Youth in Policy’s online fellowship application form. Applicants should complete the short application form and provide the information requested by YIP.
The application process involves submitting an application before the relevant cohort deadline, after which YIP communicates decisions by email. Applicants interested in the Winter 2027 cohort should ensure that their application is submitted by December 23, 2026.
How to Strengthen an Application
Applicants can strengthen their submissions by clearly explaining their interest in public policy and demonstrating an understanding of the issues they want to address. A strong application should communicate the applicant’s motivation, relevant experiences, areas of policy interest and willingness to collaborate with others.
Applicants may also benefit from reviewing YIP’s previous fellows and capstone projects to better understand the fellowship’s focus and expectations.
Key Details
Programme: Public Policy Fellowship
Organisation: Institute for Youth in Policy
Duration: Two months
2027 Cohorts: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
Winter 2027 Dates: January 16–March 20, 2027
Application Deadline: December 23, 2026
Decision Date: January 6, 2027
Format: Fellowship development programme with workshops, discussions, collaboration, speaker sessions and a capstone project
Target Group: Young and emerging leaders interested in public policy and civic impact
Official Application
Interested applicants should visit the official Institute for Youth in Policy fellowship page to review the programme information and submit an application through the designated online form.
Applicants should verify all current eligibility requirements, application instructions and cohort dates on the official source before applying.
